Fiveman Is Back!

Kei Shindachiya. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Earlier tonight, I paid another visit to the bar owned and operated by Chikyu Sentai Fiveman (1990-91) star Kei Shindachiya, who played FiveBlue on the show. Shindachiya-san also made guest appearances on Choriki Sentai Ohranger (1995-96) and Ultraman Gaia (1998-99) after his success on Fiveman.

We had a great conversation about many topics. Shindachiya-san talked about being a big Godzilla fan in his younger days and would see the movies at the theater. He didn't keep up with the Heisei versions but did see the American versions, as well as Shin Godzilla. Of the American versions, his favorite was Godzilla: King of the Monsters. We also talked about the recent Star Wars series, as well as various locations in California we were both familiar with.

Overall, it was a great way to spend an evening. I can't believe it had been nearly two years (!) since I last visited the bar. Time sure does fly. I'll certainly do my best to return long before another two years pass.

The Return of FiveBlue!

Kei Shindachiya. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Tuesday, May 22, I returned to the bar owned and operated by Super Sentai series star Kei Shindachiya, who plays FiveBlue on Chikyu Sentai Fiveman (1990-91). Shindachiya-san has also made guest appearances on Choriki Sentai Ohranger (1995-96) and Ultraman Gaia (1998-99).

I was joined by a Super Sentai fan from the Philippines named Mark, who is currently visiting Japan. Naturally, he was excited to meet Shindachiya-san and had a great time at his bar. I was very happy to meet him, too , as we've been exchanging e-mails for quite some time. There's nothing like Super Sentai to bring people together!

LIGHT SPEED ESPER! A Day in the Company of One of Japan's Youngest Heroes!

 Kiyotaka Mitsugi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today was all about the the Senkosha-produced superhero TV series Light Speed Esper (1967-68). I attended an event today during which three episodes of the series were screened (from the Blu-ray), which was followed by an interview with the star of the show, Kiyotaka Mitsugi.

Of course, Mitsugi-san starred as the titular hero in Light Speed Esper, but he'd probably be better known in the West for his portrayal of ZAT member Jiro Nishida in Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman Taro (1973-74). Super Sentai fans may recognize Mitsugi-san from his role as Dr. Hoshikawa on Chikyu Sentai Fiveman (1990-91). 

I asked Mitsugi-san about the difference between working on Esper and Ultraman Taro. He said that, as an adult, he was able to make requests of the crew, but even though he was the star of Esper, as a 14-year-old boy he felt he couldn't make such requests.

As you'd expect, it was a fun afternoon, and I certainly enjoyed meeting Mitsugi-san for the first time. I hope it won't be the only time!

FIVEMAN RIDES AGAIN! Visiting FiveBlue!

Fiveman's Kei Shindachiya poses with a friend. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Tonight, I paid another visit to the bar owned and operated by Kei Shindachiya of Chikyu Sentai Fiveman (1990-91) fame. Shindachiya-san played FiveBlue on the Toei series, and many fans in the Tokyo area visit his establishment to have the chance to chat with the Super Sentai star.

It had been a long time since I was last in the bar, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to catch up with Shindachiya-san. Hope to do it again soon!

HANGIN' WITH FIVEBLUE! An Evening with Super Sentai Star Kei Shindachiya!

On September 15, I made my way over to the bar owned by the actor who starred as FiveBlue in Chikyu Sentai Fiveman (1990-91). Kei Shindachiya (the actor in question) also made guest appearances on Choriki Sentai Ohranger (1995-96) and Ultraman Gaia (1998-99).

There were several other bar patrons in attendance, and a fun time was had by all. These low-key evenings are truly enjoyable. Many thanks to Shindachiya-san!

MASKMAN RAMEN! Eating Delicious Food with Maskman's Ryosuke Kaizu!

Actor Ryosuke Kaizu outside his ramen shop Misoichi in Tokyo. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight I made my first foray to Misoichi, a nice ramen shop owned and operated by actor Ryosuke Kaizu, best known for portraying Red Mask on Hikari Sentai Maskman (1987-88). Kaizu-san also made guest appearances on Choushinsei Flashman (1986-87), Chikyu Sentai Fiveman (1990-91), Gosei Sentai Dairanger (1993-94), Choriki Sentai Ohranger (1995-96), and was a regular performer on Ultraman Gaia (1998-99) as Chief Higuchi.

The ramen I ate was quite spicy and rather delicious, and Kaizu-san was great to speak with. His English is limited, but we had a nice chat. I hope to see him again soon!

KEI SHINDACHIYA IS IN 7'S HEAVEN! Meeting the Super Sentai Star at His Bar!

Actor Kei Shindachiya, sporting a cool Robot Detective T-shirt, gives a thumbs-up to Fiveman! Photo by Brett Homenick.

Tonight I made my first visit to 7's Bar, a facility owned and operated by Chikyu Sentai Fiveman (1990-91) star Kei Shindachiya, who played FiveBlue on the show. Later on in the '90s, Shindachiya-san made guest appearances on Choriki Sentai Ohranger (1995-96) and Ultraman Gaia (1998-99).

Shindachiya-san speaks some English, and together we talked about a wide range of topics. First, we discussed Super Sentai and his career, but later we shot the breeze about random movies, like Batman vs. Superman and the Ghostbusters reboot due in the summer.

Shindachiya-san was very friendly, and while I'm not very familiar with Super Sentai, this meeting gave me the motivation to dive right in! Thank you very much, Shindachiya-san!